Chest Pain

Every year millions of people develop chest pain and tightness, ranging from the common cold, flu, coughs, allergies to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma and emphysema. Chest pain and tightness affects the lungs, either in the smaller air sacs or larger airways. The airways become swollen and constricted by a build-up of pus and mucus, and this causes breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages, but young children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and smokers are mostly at risk. Babies and young children tend to be prone to croup and chest infections, and it is estimated that they will develop at six to eight colds or other respiratory problems a year.
Symptoms associated with chest pain and tightness include wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughs, chills, fever, runny nose, sneezing and fatigue.